Part 3 – Managing and dealing with unconscious bias at the workplace

In order to minimise the impact of bias at work, we first need to know how to identify them. Once we have identified them, the most important task comes next.

There are different aspects that can be worked on in a company in order to improve trust with workers and thus reduce the prejudices or stereotypes that we create about people who are from different countries.

One way to better manage stereotypes at work can be to encourage people to talk to them during breaks or help them in their first weeks to make them feel part of the team and on an equal footing. Being aware of your own and other colleagues’ opinions is essential for good communication. In addition, being aware of the impact they can have on employees can help to manage them better.

It can also be very useful for companies to offer a probationary or internship period in order to have a first contact with the employee before de recruitment process.

An internship can be very useful to evaluate and assess the skills of future employees. The probationary period can also be used to train workers and develop some areas in which the worker in question is not strong.

Including a probationary period before starting work can also help to reduce these stereotypes and prejudices at work. In this way, the company checks if the candidate meets all the necessary characteristics for the job and all the stereotypes that may be held about the person are put aside.

Finally, offering programmes in collaboration with universities can help the company to develop and expand its capabilities as a training company and can also help the company to work and be in contact with people from different countries, ethnicities, and beliefs.

Objectivity and fairness in a multicultural team is paramount and people with a migration background can offer different visions and bring different critical thinking to the company. Trying to be as fair as possible when working can help to avoid intrusive thinking that leads to stereotypes about a person.

Treating people on the basis of their knowledge, work experience and creativity is what is really important for teamwork and maintaining a good atmosphere in the workplace, as well as being helpful in managing the stereotypes we fear about certain cultures.